Panda Express vs Raising Cane's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 11 items at Panda Express vs 28 items at Raising Cane's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Panda Express averages $7.73 per item across 11 menu items, while Raising Cane's averages $43.52 across 28 items. Panda Express is $35.80 cheaper per item (82% difference). Panda Express has lower average calories (479 vs 916 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Panda Express | Raising Cane's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $7.73 | $43.52 | Panda Express |
| Menu Items | 11 | 28 | Raising Cane's |
| Avg Calories | 479 | 916 | Panda Express |
| US Locations | 2,500 | 800 | Panda Express |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Panda Express is 82% cheaper on average than Raising Cane's ($35.80 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Panda Express
Raising Cane's
Lowest Calorie Options
Panda Express
Raising Cane's
Deep Comparison: Panda Express vs Raising Cane's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Panda Express delivers 1.18¢/cal on average, while Raising Cane's delivers 0.74¢/cal. Raising Cane's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Panda Express and Raising Cane's share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Panda Express fits 0 items, Raising Cane's fits 1 item (960 cal)
- $15 budget: Panda Express fits 1 item (360 cal), Raising Cane's fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Panda Express fits 2 items (860 cal), Raising Cane's fits 3 items (2360 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Panda Express ranks #218 of 414 on price (pricier than 52% of tracked chains). Raising Cane's ranks #409 of 414 (pricier than 99% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Panda Express, 55% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Raising Cane's, 32% are under 500 calories. Panda Express offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Panda Express ($7.73 avg vs $43.52)
- More variety: Raising Cane's (28 items)
- More locations: Panda Express (2,500 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Raising Cane's (0.74¢/cal)